Tyres....

[esuuv]

So I've now had 4 punctures in the last 24 hours - running GP4000S 2. 3 of them caused by nicks in the sides from stones and one from hitting a pot hole rather too hard - my commute is 31 miles each way across London (Richmond to the Dartford crossing) so the road surface is variable between bad and awful. I run them at about 110psi - i work on the theory lower pressure is going to give me worse problems with pinches, but don't want to go too high.

So what are the thoughts - higher / lower pressure? or replace them and use something a little sturdier Gatorskins? any other recommendations - I use a 25 rear with a 23 front because a 25 front wont fit (Scott Foil - it catches the bridge of the forks)

[Pachydermus]

I use gatorskins for commuting and punctures are a rarity and usually an indication that it's time to replace the tyres.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Used to commute on gators years ago, but hard ride and sketchy on manholes, heavier chaps I ride with like em tho

I use these on 23c: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/V...

End of line model though, other places might have more colour options, done me proud over 5000 miles or so

Run them at 110-120 in 23c. Only ever had a puncture when they were 2k (miles) old and getting to end of life, painful to fit though

[Andy JB]

I've had the GP 4000 for 12 months now on 23x 110psi and never had a puncture compared to other brands - sounds like your roads are true british rubbish & for your type of mileage I would be riding 28 section tyres probably on a steel frame giving a better ride & better protection.

Also have gatorskins on a hybrid & these are tougher but weighty with it

[scubadude]

3 puncture for the same reason in 24hours suggests one actual puncture event that did lots of damage- hard to see any different tyre being better than what you use now to be honest.

I would vote for 25c though, very good in my experience, although the GP4000S 25c is more like 27mm, just swapped one out for a Conti GT tyre (only spare I had) and had to check the size as its so different, the 25c GT actually is 25mm!

[bakerstreet]

esuuv said:

So I've now had 4 punctures in the last 24 hours - running GP4000S 2. 3 of them caused by nicks in the sides from stones and one from hitting a pot hole rather too hard - my commute is 31 miles each way across London (Richmond to the Dartford crossing) so the road surface is variable between bad and awful. I run them at about 110psi - i work on the theory lower pressure is going to give me worse problems with pinches, but don't want to go too high.

So what are the thoughts - higher / lower pressure? or replace them and use something a little sturdier Gatorskins? any other recommendations - I use a 25 rear with a 23 front because a 25 front wont fit (Scott Foil - it catches the bridge of the forks)

I would still consider 110psi high? Depends how much you weigh too.

I would try Gatorskins and see how you get on. Someone will come along in a minute and say get Four Seasons. I went down that route and threw them in the bin after two months. More comfortable, but not as much puncture protection as gatorskins IMO.

For ultimate protection, you could try marathons, but they are a bit of a pig to get on and off the rim and they are heavy too. Gatorskins can be tricky to get on the rim the first time, but they do bed in a bit with the miles.